Naruto: The Clanless Prince

Uzumaki Mito felt a tinge of sadness as she faced Sora's wary demeanour toward her.

She had silently observed everything Sora had done for Uzumaki Kushina over the past few years. Mito found herself torn—both happy and helpless.

She was happy because the bond between Sora and Kushina was undeniably strong. Yet, she felt helpless because both seemed to have no one else but each other. Neither Sora nor Kushina had made any other friends, isolating themselves in their own little world.

Moreover, when Sora had visited her previously, Mito learned he had changed his residence. It was also during that visit that Sarutobi Hiruzen had gone to Konoha's Shinobi Hospital to check on Sora. Despite this, the villagers seemed indifferent to Sora's quiet cynicism toward them.

During their conversation, Mito had asked him, "Sora, do you feel a sense of belonging to Konoha now?"

Sora responded, "My belongings will always be Konoha."

But Mito could tell he was lying. Beneath his words, she could sense his suppressed malice toward the village.

It was then that Uzumaki Mito fully understood: Sora harboured a deep-seated hatred for Konoha.

And how could he not?

He had nearly died before birth due to the persecution of the Uchiha clan. His parents were forced to defect from Konoha, relentlessly hunted by Anbu. They had both died in the process. When Sora eventually returned to the village, he was not only unwelcomed by the Uchiha clan but met with cold indifference.

How could he not hate Konoha after all that?

Since his return at the age of four, Sora had been wearing a mask of deception, concealing his true feelings. Even now, he continued to hide behind that facade, enduring pressures and hardships far beyond what any child his age should bear.

Mito wanted desperately to help him, to ease his burden, but she felt powerless. She was torn between her husband's clan and the village he had founded. She wanted to tell Sora to let go of his hatred for Konoha, but she couldn't bring herself to say it. After all, she felt unworthy of making such a request.

Sensing a shift in the atmosphere, Uzumaki Kushina tugged on Mito's sleeve. "Grandma Mito, is something wrong?"

Mito forced a gentle smile. "It's nothing, Kushina. I'd like to speak with Sora alone for a moment. Is that okay?"

The ever-innocent Kushina nodded cheerfully. "Of course!"

As she turned to leave, Sora suddenly grabbed her hand, his expression unreadable. He spoke to Mito, his tone calm but firm. "Lady Mito, the coursework Lord Orochimaru assigned me is quite demanding. I only stopped by briefly to speak with Kushina."

It was clear Sora had no desire to speak with Mito alone. To him, any conversation with her seemed burdensome and unproductive. After all, he was well aware of Mito's intentions to make Kushina the next Jinchūriki of the Nine Tails. That puts them on opposing sides, no matter how cordial the interactions may seem.

Even Kushina, oblivious as she often was, began to sense the tension between the two.

Uzumaki Kushina, caught in the tense exchange, felt a little embarrassed. She glanced nervously between them. "Sora… Grandma Mito…" she stammered.

Uzumaki Mito sighed softly. "Sora, I don't want to speak to you as a member of Konoha but as Kushina's elder. Is that not acceptable?"

Sora frowned slightly, his gaze shifting to Uzumaki Kushina. Her troubled expression deepened the furrow in his brow. After a moment, he released her hand.

"I understand," Sora said at last. "Kushina, you go ahead and wait for me outside. I'll speak with Lady Mito briefly and join you afterwards."

Reluctantly, Kushina nodded and left, casting a concerned glance over her shoulder as she walked away.

Once alone, Sora turned his attention back to Uzumaki Mito. "Master Mito," he said, his tone calm but distant, "what is it you wish to discuss with me?"

Uzumaki Mito's voice was gentle as she replied. "Sora, you are part of my husband's clan, and I am also your elder."

Sora lowered his head slightly, his voice remaining cold. "Master Mito, I have no surname."

The words stung, and Mito's expression softened into a bitter smile.

No surname… And he doesn't acknowledge himself as a descendant of the Senju clan…

Mito sighed and continued. "Sora, I am reassured knowing that Kushina has you by her side. I trust you to take care of her in the future."

Sora's gaze lifted at her words, his expression unreadable. Mito couldn't help but notice the faint flicker of emotion in his eyes—a rarity that seemed to appear only when Kushina was involved.

With a trace of sadness, Mito thought Only Kushina could draw out his true feelings. This proves how important she is to him.

Mito pressed on. "Our Uzumaki clan possesses a special constitution. We are born with vast chakra reserves and incredible vitality. What I am about to tell you is a secret of Konoha…"

Before Mito could continue, she felt it—an overwhelming wave of malice emanating from Sora. His face betrayed nothing, but Mito was certain his hostility was directed at her.

Her heart sank in confusion. She hadn't even revealed the secret yet—so why was he so hostile?

Could it be… Does Sora already know?

Of course, he did.

The moment Mito began to speak of the Uzumaki clan's special traits and framed it as Konoha's secret, Qianyu had guessed where the conversation was headed. It would inevitably lead to the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki—and Kushina's role in it.

Qianyu noticed the way Mito's sharp eyes examined him, and his heart skipped a beat. Could she see through me?

No, impossible, he thought quickly. I've always controlled my expressions perfectly.

But then it struck him. He had overlooked something critical. The abilities that came with being a Jinchūriki of the Nine Tails.

She can sense malice.

Realization dawned, and his expression turned grim. No wonder she said there was no need to be so defensive around her. She must have sensed my feelings all along. What a troublesome ability.

He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to regain composure. Since there was no use maintaining a facade in front of Mito, he decided there was no need to keep pretending.

Sensing the shift in Sora's demeanour, Mito looked him directly in the eyes. "As I thought, Sora, you already know about the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki and the real reason Kushina was brought to Konoha, don't you?"

Sora's tone was carefully neutral as he replied. "Mito-sama, I have no way of knowing such things."

Though his words feigned ignorance, his attitude made it clear he had little interest in hiding the truth. It was one thing for Mito to make assumptions—it was another for him to confirm them outright.

Mito frowned slightly. "True, you had no way of knowing. But you figured it out, didn't you? Is your malice toward me because Konoha intends for Kushina to become the next Jinchūriki?"

Sora replied mechanically. "Mito-sama, this is Konoha's decision. I have no authority to question or interfere."

Mito's heart sank at his detached response. She was beginning to feel the weight of their conversation. Talking to Sora was exhausting—his emotional walls were impenetrable, and his guarded nature made every word feel like a battle.

He really is insufferable, she thought with a weary sigh.

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Hey everyone, just a quick update! I have exams this week, so I won't be able to upload as regularly as usual. But I'll still try my best to post whenever I can. Thanks for your patience and support—I'll be back to regular uploads soon!